Spiritual Exercises, Assembly, and Feast of Gratitude – AFM

Benoni (South Africa). From 5 to 12 July 2025, 22 Daughters of Mary Help of Christians from different Communities of Gauteng, Cape Town, Malamulele, and Zambia, from the Our Lady of Peace Province (AFM), lived the Spiritual Exercises at the Provincial House of Benoni, Gauteng, on the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope and Peace Builders”, with the preacher Father Boniface D’souza, a Carmelite. It was a blessed time to renew the relationship with God and others and to recharge with energy for the new pastoral year. In particular, in communion with the whole Church, each was invited to bring and build hope wherever she is sent.

From 13 to 14 July, the Sisters then participated in the Provincial Assembly on the theme: “Missionaries of Hope and Generators of life with Hope”.

The Assembly officially opened with a welcoming discourse by the Provincial, Sister Cecilia Motanya, who warmly welcomed all the participants, recalled that the Assembly was a sacred time for meeting and strengthening unity, and encouraged the Sisters to become involved in reflections, sharing, and decision-making.

The days opened with morning prayer and the Eucharist, presided over by Father Kaushik Parmar and Father Rayan Robert Pais, Carmelites. Following this, on the two mornings was Lectio Divina led by Sister Patricia Finn, FMA on the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 3:25–27), reflecting on the call to compassion and mercy; and on the passage from the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 29:11–13): “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.”

In the first conference, Sister Caroline Chitenta spoke about the First Missionary Expedition of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (November 14, 1877), as part of the Triennium in preparation, for a renewed commitment to be “Missionaries of Hope” in today’s world.

Sister Lidia Castro then shared a reflection on Blessed Maria Troncatti, in view of her Canonization on 19 October 2025, highlighting Sister Maria’s life of profound faith, sacrifice, and missionary zeal, in particular her work among the Shuar people in Ecuador. She encouraged them to draw inspiration from her example to continue living their missionary vocation with the same courage, humility, and love.

In the afternoon, the participants had a dialogue with Fr. Klement Václav, Superior of the Preprovince Blessed Michele Rua (AFM), on General Chapter 29 of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

A report of the CIAM Triennial Verifica, was also offered, given by Sister Annet Kaluka and Sister Ireen Kapisha, followed by  sharing in groups and presentations from different Communities on the theme “Communities that Generate Life”.

Sister Giovanna Pesenti, Provincial Economer, also shared some ideas for reflection on the Circular Economy and the vow of poverty, fruit of the meeting with the General Economer, Sister Ena Veralís Bolaños. She stressed that poverty is a personal and conscious choice rooted in evangelical values and inspired by Don Bosco’s motto, Da mihi animas, caetera tolle.

At the conclusion of the Assembly, the Provincial outlined a summary of the Assembly, expressing gratitude to the FMA for their active participation in these formation days. She also thanked God for the missionaries of the Province, including those already in Heaven and those who returned to their home countries,  recognizing that many of the current schools and communities were founded through their dedication and sacrifices.

On  15 July 2025, the AFM Province celebrated the Feast of Gratitude and the 25^th anniversary of Profession of the Provincial, Sister Cecilia Motanya, Sister Motselisi Maliehe, and Sister Maria Nguyen, with the motto, “Grateful for the faithfulness of God”. Fr. Klement Vaclav, SDB Provincial, presided over the Holy Mass, concelebrated by some Salesians, with the presence of the Salesian Cooperators.

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